Introduction: LED Dimmer

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Above: potentiometer at a bright setting

This is an LED dimmer that uses a potentiometer to change the brightness of an LED. This project's purpose is to teach you how to use a potentiometer fro more complex applications, nevertheless, i hope you enjoy. :)

Circuit designed with TinkerCAD.

(The LEDs are different as I don't have other colors)

Supplies

You will need:

  • Half sized breadboard
  • Three leds
  • Jumper wires
  • Potentiometer
  • 3V battery
  • 10Ω resistor

These items can also be bought together from an electronics set, just search for breadboard kit on amazon.

Step 1: Add Potentiometer

Place the potentiometer on the breadboard as shown above.

  1. First pin on e28
  2. Middle on e29
  3. Final on e30

The first pin is Terminal One, second is Wiper, and the final one is Teminal Three.

Step 2: Add LEDs

Add the LEDs as shown above.

The longer leg is the anode, while the shorter is the cathode.

  • For the first LED: Cathode on e7 and Anode on e8.
  • Second: Cathode on e10 and Anode on e11.
  • Third and final LED: Cathode on e13 and Anode on e14.

The LEDs can be different colors of you want them to look better!

Step 3: Add Resistor

Add the 10Ω resistor.

  • One leg on a30.
  • The second on the positive rail, usually marked with a '+'.(It does not matter where on the rail)

Step 4: Wire Everything Up

Add wires using the image above, or follow these steps:

  1. a7 to negative rail, usually marked with a '-'
  2. a10 to negative rail
  3. a13 to negative rail

Terminal one of the potentiometer is on e28, the wiper(middle) on e29, and terminal two(third pin) on e30.

  1. b8 to b29
  2. c11 to c29
  3. d14 to d29
  4. a28 to negative rail

Step 5: Attach Battery

Connect the positive terminal to the positive rail and negative terminal to the negative rail.

Step 6: We're Done!

Above: potentiometer at a dimmer setting

Turn the potentiometer to change the brightness of the LEDs.

This can be done with any number of LEDs as long as you follow these rules:

  • Terminal 2 (potentiometer) to positive rail
  • Wiper to anodes (LEDs)
  • Terminal one to negative rail
  • Cathodes (LEDs) to negative rail